Page 107 of Challenge Me

“You’re acting like there’s someone hiding out here.”

I lifted one shoulder before I continued toward the back. He was right behind me, but he didn’t interrupt as I checked the stock shelves, then the walk-in. The door to the office had been closed when I passed it. The light was on, though, which could’ve been an oversight on Oli’s part. He was prone to those. Often. Still, it left a gnarly feeling in my gut that grew with every second.

“Stay here,” I instructed.

Of course he didn’t listen to me. As I approached the door, I heard a sound. It brought me to a halt, and I put my arm out to make sure Amir didn’t go ahead. I took another step, trying to see through the blinds.

“Who—”

I slammed my hand against his mouth and pushed him up against the wall across from the door. After a few seconds, nobody came out, so either they hadn’t heard us or they were waiting for me to come in.

Staying aware of the door, I did a quick analysis. My other gun was inside the office. The knife Amir got me was in my backpack, which I’d left beside the front door. Rookie mistake. I should’ve grabbed it as soon as I got a bad feeling, but I hadn’t wanted to freak him out. He’d think I was paranoid and probably go parading around to check everything out for himself, which was a good way to get himself killed. No survival skills on this one.

Me? I was from the streets, as one might say. Oli too. He would’ve helped me go room to room without even asking.

I was able and willing to go hand-to-hand with someone. If they had my gun, well, that was a risk I was moderately prepared for. The only issue was Amir. A man’s greatest weakness was love. When that man had enemies, it could be exactly what facilitated his downfall. But he definitely wouldn’t let me send him away, so that was a moot point.

Holding my arm behind me to keep Amir back, I stepped closer to the door. Another sound came through, like someone was moving around in there. Then a grunt. They were definitely searching through my shit.

From the side of the blinds, I could see movement. It was hard to pinpoint anything specific. Once I got right up to it, I peered in with one eye.

“Jesus fucking Christ,” I hissed. Returning to stand beside Amir, I leaned against the wall.

“What is it?” he asked, his voice low.

“Just give it a minute.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m respectful, dumbass.”

He opened his mouth to respond, but a loud moan interrupted him. They must’ve reached the main event because the sound from inside grew exponentially.

“Dean, oh God, yes,” Oli said.

A growl followed. Maybe it was Dean, or it might’ve been Oli. There was no telling.

Amir’s cheeks were red as he stared at the ground. When he glanced at me, there was a flicker of something there that made me laugh. A loud swear from the office made his lips twitch upward, and he had to cover his mouth to keep quiet.

“Oh, God. Oh, God,” Oli cried.

Dean was going to die of shame when I walked in there.

He let out a sound that I would consider embarrassing. “You’re a maniac, Oli.”

Amir leaned closer. “So, you two are alike.”

I shrugged. “Sometimes. I like to consider us unstoppable.”

“Mmhmm, I’m sure.”

The ordeal reached a crescendo, then died abruptly. I gave them exactly sixty seconds to enjoy the come-down before I winked at Amir. With a heavy fist, I banged on the door.

“Police! Hands in the air and don’t make any sudden moves!”

“Jesus!” Dean shouted.

I flung the door open and stood there with my arms crossed, a stern expression firmly planted on my face. As soon as he saw me, Dean’s face turned bright red, and he rushed to finish zipping up his pants.